Cough 

Introduction to Cough

Cough is a critical and a complex mechanism, which helps in ‘protecting the respiratory system’. It occurs due to the irritation and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, which includes throat and windpipe. This irritation may be caused due to infections like common cold, laryngitis, flu and bronchitis.

Cough is a physiological defense mechanism and a resultant action to clear the airway from mucus, phlegm and irritants like smoke, dust etc. The reflexes of cough are controlled by the interaction of afferent and efferent nerves in the cough centers of the brain.¹

Classification of Cough

Classification of Cough

Cough can be categorized based on the duration. Acute cough, sub acute cough, chronic cough.
Cough can also be divided as follows: dry cough, chesty cough.

Symptoms of Cough

Cough is a ‘symptom’ of many conditions like, cold, flu etc. In these conditions, cough cause irritation in the chest. In conditions like bronchitis, cough may develop after other symptoms have developed. A cough developed due to a viral infection often takes 7–10 days to be cured.

If the symptoms are severe, then it is necessary to see a physician to prevent secondary infections.

Do’s and Do nots

• Drink extra fluids to help thin the secretions in your throat and make them easier to cough up.

• Avoiding of mucous-producing foods can be effective in healing a cough condition. These mucous-producing foods can vary, based on individual intolerance, but dairy products are a major mucous-producing food for most people.

• Avoid smoking

Diagnosis of Cough

Diagnosis of cough

Acute cough is diagnosed based on its association with common cold or lower respiratory tract infection. Diagnosis of subacute cough is based on whether the cough has followed a respiratory infection.

Treatment for Cough

Treatment for Cough

Cough can be treated successfully upon proper diagnosis. Treatment of cough involves different kinds depending on the type. Acute and subacute cough due to common cold can use antihistamine- decongestant and          

Advice from your physician

• The treatment of a cough will depend largely on its severity and underlying cause.

• A productive cough should not be suppressed except in special circumstances (eg, when it exhausts the patient or prevents rest and sleep) and generally not until the cause has been identified.

• An acute infection such as pneumonia may require antibiotics

• An asthma-induced cough may require bronchodilators

• Antihistamine may be administered in the case of an allergy

• Cough medicines may be given if the patient cannot rest because of the cough or if the cough is not productive, as is the case with most coughs associated with colds or flu. The two types of drugs used to treat coughs are antitussives and expectorants.

• Cough lozenges or hard candy can help dry, tickling coughs. These should never be given to a child under 3 years old because of the risk of choking.

• Zinc lozenges can reduce cold symptoms, especially cough.

• Various vitamins, such as vitamin C, may be helpful in preventing or treating conditions (including colds and flu) that lead to coughs.